Automatic feeding cutoff and bagel forming machine



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United States Patent 3,433,182 AUTOMATIC FEEDING CUTOFF AND BAGELFORMING MACHINE Meyer Thompson, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor toThompson Bagel Machine Mfg. Corp., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation ofCalifornia Filed Apr. 11, 1966, Ser. No. 541,795 US. Cl. 107-69 12Claims Int. Cl. A21c 3/10, /02; A23g 7/00 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREMachine for forming a succession of toroids from ribbon of plasticmaterial such as dough by severing strips therefrom and forming themabout a mandrel into toroids. Separation of the severed strips from thecutoff means and the ribbon is effected by separator means.

This invention relates in general to a machine for converting a batch ofpliant, deformable, plastic composition or material, such as dough, intoa plurality of toroids in rapid succession. More particularly, thisinvention relates to such an apparatus adapted to receive a generallynonuniform batch of relatively tough, elastic dough, required in makingbagels, form the batch of dough into a generally uniform ribbon of doughin a first forming zone, cutoff strips of the relatively tough, elasticdough from the formed ribbon and quickly and successively form thecutoff strips into toroids of dough ready for proofing and baking intofinished bagels.

In the art of forming and making bagels, the first step is to make up abatch of dough using a recipe or formula preferred by the particularbaker making the bagels. It is well known that the dough used in makingbagels is generally relatively heavy dough and elastic so that it cannotbe formed in the same manner as other dough products, such as that knownas doughnuts. The simplest and most common manner of forming bagel doughin the past has been for the baker to manually separate a relativelysmall amount of dough from the larger batch thereof and manually rollthe separated dough into a generally cylindrical strip. This strip hasthen been manually folded into an annulus or toroid with overlappingends, the ends being then hand-rolled into a generally integral relationto form a fairly uniform toroid. However, the manual forming of bageltoroids is slow, uneconomical and does not produce bagels of uniformthickness and size.

Prior apparatus or machines for mechanically forming bagel dough intotoroids or an annular configuration have been employed, as disclosed inprior Patents Nos. 2,584,- 514 and 3,031,979. In the machine of Patent2,584,514, the batch of bagel dough must be preformed and cut intostrips to be received by the machine for forming into toroids. In themachine of Patent 3,031,979, the dough batch is separated into ball-likeelements of dough which are then formed into toroids between a mandreland relatively moving forming sleeves concentric with the mandrel.However, in forming a ball-shaped element of dough into a toroid, aconsiderable working of the dough occurs and it is necessary to adjustthe recipe or ingredients of the dough as well as the proofing time,during which the dough is allowed to rise, prior to baking to compensatefor this working of the dough. Heretofore, no machine suitable formaking bagels has been adapted to receive a generally non-formed batchof tough, elastic bagel dough and convert the batch into a plurality oftoroids with a minimum of working of the dough.

It is, therefore, the principal object of the present invention todisclose and provide an apparatus for receiving and converting a batchof pliant, deformable, plastic composition or material such asrelatively heavy, tough, and elastic bagel dough, into a plurality ofindividually formed toroids rapidly and continuously with a minimum ofworking of the dough formed into such toroids.

It is a primary object of the present invention to disclose and providean apparatus as in the foregoing object wherein a generally elongatebatch of dough may be received by a machine and formed into a generallyuniform ribbon of dough in a first forming zone, be cut successivelyinto transverse strips of dough in a cutofi zone and thereafter beformed into a plurality of toroids in a second forming zone of themachine.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose and provide anapparatus as in the foregoing objects wherein means are provided forautomatically and successively carrying or transporting cutoff strips ofdough from the cutoff zone to a toroid forming means in the secondforming zone.

It is a further object of the present invention to disclose and providean apparatus as in the foregoing objects wherein means are provided foreffecting a separation of the cutoff strips of dough from the cutoffmeans and the ribbon of dough to facilitate the movement of cutoffstrips from the cutoff zone to the second forming zone.

It is a still further object of the present invention to disclose andprovide an apparatus for converting a batch of dough into a plurality ofindividual toroids rapidly and continuously wherein a generally elongatebatch of dough is formed in a first forming zone into a ribbon of dough,strips of dough are successively cut off from the ribbon of dough in acutoff zone and the cutoff strips of dough are transported directly intothe forming sleeves of a toroid forming means including relativelymovable mandrel and forming sleeve assemblies in which the dough stripsare formed into toroids with a minimum of working thereof.

It is also an object of the present invention to disclose and provide anapparatus as in the foregoing object wherein the individual formingsleeve assemblies are opened to receive a strip of dough to be formedinto a toroid and means are provided for seating and holding individualstrips of dough in the associated open forming sleeve assemblies so thatthe dough strips are preformed into a semi-circular configuration uponclosing of the associated forming sleeves preparatory to the formingthereof into a toroid upon relative movement between the forming sleevesand associated mandrel.

It is another object of the present invention to disclose and provide anapparatus for converting a batch of dough into a plurality of individualtoroids as in the foregoing objects wherein automatically operatingcontrol means are provided for synchronizing the operation of doughbatch feed means, first forming means in the forming zone to form thebatch into a ribbon of dough, cutoff means in a cutoff zone and toroidforming means in a second forming zone.

It is a still further object of the present invention to disclose andprovide an apparatus as in the foregoing object including control meansfor operating carrier means for carrying cutoff strips of dough from acutoff zone to a toroid forming zone and separator means to facilitatethe separation of cutoff strips from the cutoff means and ribbon in thecutoff zone in synchronized relation with the operation of the meansrecited in the foregoing object.

These and various other objects and advantages of the present apparatusfor automatically feeding, cutting off and forming pliant material, suchas bagel dough, into toroids will become apparent to those skilled inthe art from a consideration of the following detailed explanation of anexemplary embodiment thereof. Reference will be made to the appendedsheets of drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view, partly in section, of an exemplaryembodiment of apparatus for automatically feeding, cutting-off andforming a batch of material such as dough into a plurality of individualtoroids, according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 taken therein along theplane II-II;

FIG. 3 is a rear detail view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 2taken therein along the plane IIIIII;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 2 takentherein along the plane IVIV showing the forming of a batch of doughinto a ribbon of dough directed into a cutoff zone;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 2 takentherein along the plane VV showing an exemplary cutoff means preparatoryto cutting off a strip of dough from the ribbon of dough advanced intothe cutoff zone;

FIG. 6 is a detail view of the apparatus of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view of the apparatus of FIG. 6 with the exemplary cutoffmeans engaging and cutting off a strip of dough from the ribbon of doughadvanced into the cutoff zone;

FIG. 8 is a view of the apparatus of FIGS. 6 and 7 showing an exemplaryseparator means having separated a cutoff strip of dough from the cutoffmeans and ribbon of dough, the cutoff strip having been received by anexemplary carrier means preparatory to being carried into a toroidforming zone;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 2 taken thereinalong the plane IX-IX showing a cutoff strip of dough received on anexemplary carrier means preparatory to being carried into a toroidforming zone;

FIG. 10 is a detail view of the apparatus of FIG. 9 showing a cutoffstrip of dough carried into ta toroid forming zone by the exemplarycarrier means;

FIG. 11 is a view of the apparatus of FIG. 10 showing the operation ofexemplary strip seating means operable in the toroid forming zone toseat a mid-portion of a cutoff strip received in an opened formingsleeve assembly;

FIG. 12 is a detail view of the exemplary toroid forming means providedin the toroid forming zone of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing thesuccessive stages from left to right of receiving a cutoff strip ofdough in an opened forming assembly to the forming of the strip into atoroid at the extreme right side of the view;

FIG. 13 is a detail view of the apparatus of FIG. 12 taken therein alongthe plane XIII-XIII showing an opened forming sleeve assembly receivinga cutoff strip of dough carried thereto by the exemplary carrying means;

FIG. 14 is a detail view of the apparatus of FIG. 12 taken therein alongthe plane XIV-XIV showing the closing of a forming sleeve assembly abouta cutoff strip of dough received therein with the exemplary stripseating means holding a mid-portion of the dough strip against thebottom of the forming sleeve assembly;

FIG. 15 is a detail view of the apparatus of FIG.- 12 taken thereinalong the plane XVXV showing the initial forming of a cutoff strip ofdough disposed between the generally closed forming sleeve assembliesand the concentric mandrel;

FIG. 16 is a detail View of the apparatus of 12 showing first theforming of a cutoff dough strip between the exemplary forming sleeveassembly and concentric mandrel at plane XVIXVI in FIG. 12 and in alower portion of the figure 'the subsequent opening of the exemplaryforming sleeve assembly after moving past the mandrel to discharge theformed toroid onto a discharge conveyor;

FIG. 17 is a representation of the general configuration of a cutoffstrip of dough as it is received in the toroid forming zone and movedtherethrough between the forming sleeve assemblies and associatedmandrel; and

FIG. 18 is a detail view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 2 showingthe exemplary strip cutoff and strip separator means.

In general, the exemplary apparatus for converting a batch of dough intoa plurality of individual toroids includes a main frame indicatedgenerally at 1 mounting a sub frame indicated generally at 10. Aplurality of control cams, indicated generally at 20, are mounted on thesub frame and driven by motor or drive means, indicated generally at 30for synchronously operating the various moving mechanisms of theapparatus.

The resilient, pliant material, indicated generally at 40, to be formedinto toroids by the apparatus is received on a conveyor of the exemplarydough batch feeding means, indicated generally at 50. The elongate batchof dough 41, as seen in FIG. 5, is fed into a first forming zone,indicated generally at 80, in which exemplary dough batch roller meansare provided for rolling the dough batch into a ribbon 42. The ribbon ofdough 42 is then directed into a strip cutoff zone, indicated generallyat wherein the exemplary strip cutoff means cut off a transverse strip43 of dough.

Dough strip separator means, indicated generally at in FIGS. 6 through8, are then operated to facilitate the separation of the cutoff strip 43from the cutoff means and the ribbon of dough 42. As seen in FIG. 8, acutoff strip of dough 43 is then received on the exemplary dough stripreceiving and carrier means, indicated generally at 130. Such carriermeans then is operated to carry the cutoff strip 43 into a secondforming zone, indicated generally at in FIGS. 1 and 12.

The strip 43 is laid into an open forming sleeve assembly of toroidforming means operated in the second forming zone, as seen in FIGS. 12and 13. Strip seating means,

indicated generally at 180 in FIGS. 12 and 14, are then operated to seata mid-portion of the strip 43 down into the forming sleeve assembly,indicated generally at 160, and the sleeve cups and 171 are closed aboutthe strip forming it into a semi-circular dough element 44, as seen inFIGS. 14 and 17.

The forming sleeve assembly is then moved relative to an innerconcentric mandrel, indicated generally at 200 and as seen in FIGS. 12and 15, to form the dough strip into a finished toroid. The finishedtoroid is then discharged, as seen in FIG. 16, from the formingassemblies onto a discharge conveyor 221 in a discharge zone, indicatedgenerally at 220 in FIG. 1.

The operation of the dough batch feed means, indicated generally at 50;the dough batch roller means in the first forming zone, indicatedgenerally at 80; the strip cutoff means in the cutoff zone, indicatedgenerally at 100; the dough strip separator means, indicated generallyat 120; the dough strip receiving and carrier means, indicated generallyat 130; and the strip seating means, indicated generally at are alloperated synchronously and in cooperation with each other by the controldrive means, including the plurality of drive discs or control cams,indicated generally at 20 in FIGS. 1 and 2. The control cams or drivediscs, indicated generally at 20, in the exemplary embodiment are allmounted on a common control drive shaft 21, driven by the motor meansindicated generally at 30, to cause a continuous cycling and synchronousoperation of all apparatus mechanisms or means to rapidly andcontinuously convert the generally non-formed batch of dough, indicatedgenerally at 40, into a plurality of toroids 47 being discharged ontothe discharge conveyor in the discharge zone indicated generally at 220.

The exemplary embodiment will now be described in detail. Referringfirst to FIGS. 1 through 3, the apparatus is provided with a main frame,indicated generally at 1 including a plurality of corner posts, 2, 3, 4and 5 joined by bottom rails at their lower ends, as bottom rail 6.Intermediate their vertical extent, the corner posts are provided withfront and back intermediate cross braces 7 and 8. In addition, a toprail 9 is provided between the right side corner posts 3 and 5.

A sub frame, indicated generally at 10, is mounted to theabove-described main frame. Such sub frame includes front and rear lowerrails or bars 11 and 12 mounted to the front corner posts 2 and 3 andthe rear corner posts 4 and 5, respectively. Transverse braces 15, 16and 17 extending between and on the sub frame lower rails or bars 11 and12 are provided upon which the sub frame top front and rear rails orbars 13 and 14 are mounted. As seen in FIG. 1, the sub frame, indicatedgenerally at 10, extends outwardly of the main frame, indicatedgenerally at 1, to the left in FIG. 1 to mount the drive control means,indicated generally at 20.

Drive control means, including a plurality of drive discs or controlcams are provided for operating the various moving elements ormechanisms of the apparatus in synchronous and cooperating relation toeach other. In

the exemplary embodiment, such drive control means includes theprovision of a plurality of control cams upon a control drive shaft 21.Control drive shaft 21 is rotatably journaled in journal blocks 22 and23 mounted upon the sub frame top rails or bars 13 and 14, respectively.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the control cams or drive discs are mounted uponshaft 21 to be rotated thereby and include a dough batch feed and rollermeans control cam or drive disc 24, a strip cutoff means and stripseparator means control cam or drive disc 25, a strip seating meanscontrol cam or drive disc 26 and a strip receiving and carrier meanscontrol cam or drive disc 27. The operation and cooperation of eachcontrol cams or drive discs 24, 25, 26 and 27, with its variousassociated means, will be described in detail together with thedescription of such associated means hereinafter.

Motor means are provided for driving the drive control means includingthe various control cams or drive discs. In the exemplary embodiment,such motor or drive means includes a motor 31 and associated mechanismsfor driving the control drive shaft 21 by the operation of motor 31. Asseen in FIG. 1, motor 31 is provided with a motor shaft 32 upon which isfixed a drive sprocket 33. A drive chain 34 is provided about the drivesprocket 33 and an upper driven sprocket 35 mounted upon an intermediatedrive shaft 36 rotatably journaled in the journal blocks 37 and 38,mounted respectively upon the frame intermediate cross braces 7 and 8.The rear view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 including the journal block 38and intermediate drive shaft 36 is best seen in FIG. 3. Operation ofmotor 31 thus drives the intermediate drive shaft 36. The intermediatedrive shaft 36 is employed for operating the exemplary toroid formingmeans in the second forming zone, indicated generally at 150, ashereinafter described in detail.

Control drive shaft 21 upon which the control cams or drive discs,indicated generally at 20 are mounted, is driven by a second drive chain29 operably connected to the intermediate drive shaft 36, as best seenin FIG. 3. An intermediate drive sprocket 39, fixedly mounted u on shaft36, is employed to drive chain 29 and the upper driven control sprocket28 fixed upon the control drive shaft 21.

Therefore, upon operation of motor 31, the toroid forming means in thesecond forming zone, indicated generally at 150, and including theplurality of forming assemblies 160, is operated by the intermediatedrive shaft 36 and the plurality of control cams or drive cams,indicated generally at 20, are rotated by their associated control driveshaft 21, which in turn is rotated by intermediate drive shaft 36, insynchronism and cooperative relation to the movement of the toroidforming sleeve assemblies 160.

Dough batch feed means are provided in the apparatus to receive agenerally non-formed batch of material such as dough, indicatedgenerally at 40, and deliver it into a first forming zone indicatedgenerally at 80. In the exemplary embodiment, such dough batch feedmeans includes the provision of a conveyor belt 51 run in conventionalmanner about a sheave 52 rotatably mounted by shaft 53. Conveyor frameside rails or bars 54 and 55 are mounted upon the frame top right siderail 9 and support, at their left ends in FIGS. 1 and 2, the guideplates 56 and 57. Conveyor shaft 53 may be rotatably journaled in theguide plates 56 and 57 and, as best seen in FIG. 2, extend outwardlythereof to mount a drive sprocket 58 to be employed in driving theconveyor belt 51. Belt 51 is shown broken off in the exemplaryembodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, but, as is apparent to those skilled in theart, belt 51 would continue on about an additional sheave or sheaves soas to be mounted for endless rotation in conventional manner.

Drive means for driving the dough batch feed means, indicated generallyat 50, by the operation of the associated control cam or drive disc 24are indicated generally at 60 in FIGS. 1 through 3. Conveyor shaftsprocket 58 is driven by a chain 61 mounted about sprocket 58 and achain drive sprocket 62 fixed upon a drive shaft 63. Shaft 63, as bestseen in FIG. 2, is rotatably journaled in a journal block 64, mounted onthe sub frame rail 14, and a pair of spaced support plates 65 and 66,mounted to the inner side of the sub frame top rails 13 and 14,respectively. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, a ratchet wheel 67 isnon-rotatably fixed upon shaft 63 at the end thereof opposite the drivesprocket 62. Ratchet wheel 67 is driven by rotation of the feed meanscontrol cam or drive disc 24.

As seen in FIG. 3, rotation of the dough batch feed means control cam ordrive disc 24 in a counter-clockwise direction brings the camprojections or arms 70, 71 and 72 into successive abutting engagementwith stud 69 upon the lever arm 68. Arm 68 is rotatably mounted uponshaft 63 and is provided with a weighted portion 73 at an end thereofopposite the end mounting stud 69. Arm 68 is thus biased by weightportion 73 in a counter-clockwise direction in FIG. 3 while it issuccessively and intermittently rotated in a clockwise direction by theabutment of cam portions 70, 71 and 72 with stud 69.

Intermittent and successive operation of lever 68 by the cam 24 istransmitted to the ratchet wheel 67 fixed upon drive shaft 63 through apawl 74 pivotally mounted Within a pawl housing 75 formed in housing arm76. Arm 76 is mounted in non-rotational relation to the lever arm 68 sothat clockwise rotation of arm 68 in FIG. 3 by cam 24 causes clockwiserotation of shaft 63, through the abutment of pawl 74 with the ratchetwheel 67. After a cam portion, such as portion 70, has moved past stud69, the arm 68 is allowed to move in a counter-clockwise direction, inFIG. 3, until the pawl housing abuts the stop or stud 77 protruding fromthe frame plate 66, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The batch of dough, indicated generally at 40, is prefably provided in asomewhat elongate mass 41, so that it fits upon the conveyor and isadvanced successively and intermittently by the operation of the feedmeans control cam or drive disc 24 upon the exemplary dough batch feedmeans, indicated generally at 50, and its associated interconnectingdrive means, indicated generally at 60. As seen in FIG. 5, the elongatemass or batch of dough 41 is advanced by the conveyor into a firstforming zone where it is rolled into a ribbon of dough 41 having arelatively uniform thickness preparatory to being successively andintermittently cut off into dough strips 43.

Dough batch roller means are provided in a first forming zone, indicatedgenerally at 80, for forming the generally non-uniform mass or batch ofdough 41 into a uniform ribbon of dough. In the exemplary embodiment,such roller means are driven in synchronized cooperating relation withthe dough batch feed means, indicated generally at 50, through theoperation of the control cam or drive disc 24 and the associated drivemeans, indicated generally at 60. As best seen in FIGS. 1 through 5,such dough roller means, in the exemplary embodiment, includes theprovision of a first overhead roller 81 between the conveyor guideplates 56 and 57 above the conveyor belt 51. Overhead roller 81 isrotatably mounted by the shaft 82 journaled in the guide plates 56 and57. A gear 83 fixed upon shaft 82 is driven by a drive gear 84 fixedupon conveyor shaft 53, as best seen in FIG. 3. Overhead roller 81 anddrive belt 51 are thus driven at the same rate to cause an initialcompacting or thinning of the dough, spreading it out into a moreuniform thickness and width between the guide plates 56 and 57.

The exemplary dough batch roller means also includes the provision of apair of opposed rollers 85 and 86. The bottom roller 86 is mounted uponshaft 63 to rotate therewith under the intermittent rotating actionimparted thereto by the lever arm 68 and the associated control cam ordrive disc 24. A drive gear 87 is provided on the end of shaft 63opposite the end ratchet wheel 67 is mounted on, as best seen in FIG. 2.The top roller '85 is mounted upon a shaft 89, journaled in plates 65and 66. Shaft 89 and associated roller 85 are driven by the gear 88,fixed on shaft 89, which meshes with the drive gear 87 fixed to shaft63. The opposed rollers 85 and 86 are thus rotated in oppositedirections at the same rate and intermittently in unison due to theaction of the control cam or drive disc 24 acting on shaft 63 throughthe associated drive mechanism including the lever 68, arm 76, pawl 74and ratchet wheel 67.

A guide or transfer plate 90 is provided, as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, forconveying the dough ribbon from between the first roller 81 and conveyor51 to the opposed rollers 85 and 86. Such guide plate may be mounted toand suspended by the opposed conveyor guide plates 56 and 57.

Means are provided for guiding the ribbon of dough from between theopposed rollers 85 and 86 into a cutoff zone, indicated generally at 100in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5. Such guide means in the exemplary embodimentincludes the provision of a relatively small guide roller or directionroller 91 mounted by a shaft 92 adjacent the lower roller 86. As seen inFIG. 2, direction roller shaft 92 may be journaled in the frame supportplates 65 and 66 to Iotatably mount the direction roller 91 fixed uponshaft 92. A gear 93, fixed upon shaft 92 outwardly of the support plate65, meshes with the drive gear 87 fixed upon drive shaft 63, as bestseen in FIG. 1. Direction roller 91 is thus rotated by shaft 63 inunison with the opposed rollers 85 and 86 and the top roller 81. As seenin FIG.

5, the direction roller 91 forces the ribbon 41 of dough to continuerolling about the lower roller 86 into a generally downward directioninto the strip cut-off zone indicated generally at 100.

Strip cut-off means are provided in the zone, indicated generally at100, for cutting off successive transverse strips 43 of dough to becarried to the toroid forming zone, indicated generally at 150.Referring to FIGS. 6 through 8, the cutoff means in the exemplaryembodiment includes a cutoff blade assembly including a generallyL-shaped blade element including a lower blade portion 101 and rearvertical flange 106. A detail plan view of the assembly, indicatedgenerally at 100 in FIG. 2, is shown in FIG. 18. The generally L-shapedblade 101, 106 is assembled to a pair of side arms 102 and 103 which arepivotally mounted by the pivot pins 104 and 105, respectively, to theframe support plates 65 and 66.

8 As best seen in FIG. 18, a side flange 107 is mounted to the arm 102and an intermediate flange 111 is mounted to the rear flange 106 of theL-shaped blade. A cam roller 108 is mounted upon shaft 109 between theflange 111 and a third flange mounted to the blade flange 106 in spacedrelation to the intermediate flange 111.

Strip cutoff means control cam or drive disc 25, as seen in FIGS. 5through 8, is adapted to cam or abut the cam roller 108 on the bladeassembly and thereby pivot the blade assembly upon its pivot points 104and 105 into a strip cutoff movement, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Cutoffcontrol cam or drive disc 25 is provided with a plurality of camportions 112, 113 and 114, as seen in FIG. 5, for successively andintermittently moving the blade assembly against the ribbon of dough 41.As seen in FIG. 6, cam portion 112 is about to abut or cam against theroller 108, shown in dotted line, on the blade assembly. Upon suchcamming or abutting engagement between the cam portion 112 and roller108, the assembly blade 101 is swung against the dough ribbon to cutthrough it until blade 101 engages or is in close proximity to theroller 86. Control cam or drive disc 25 is oriented on shaft 21physically out of phase with the feed means control cam 24, as seen inFIG. 3, so that it operates the cutoff means to cutoff a strip 43 ofdough during a dwell or stopped position of the dough ribbon allowed bythe intermittent driving action of the cam roller or disc 24, ashereinabove described.

Dough strip separator means are provided for facilitating the separationof a cutoff strip 43 of dough from the cutoff means as well as theribbon 42 of dough. In order to avoid sticking of a cutoff strip ofdough to the cutoff blade 101 and to insure the separation thereof fromthe ribbon of dough 42, it is preferred that a separator means beemployed, as in the exemplary embodiment, to separate and urge thecutoff dough strip 43 downwardly toward a dough strip receiving andcarrier means indicated generally at 130. In the exemplary embodiment,such dough strip separator means includes the provision of a separatorblade 121 mounted to operate with and below the blade 101, as best seenin FIGS. 7, 8 and 18. Separator blade or member 121 is pivotally mountedby a shaft 122 journaled in the cutoff assembly side flanges 107 and111, as best seen in FIG. 18. A weighted rear end 123 is provided inassociation with the separator blade 121 to bias it normally upwardlyagainst the underside of the cutoff means blade 101. A cam or abutmentroller 124 is mounted upon a standard or journal 125 to be abutted by acam roller 126 on the control cam 25, as best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8. Camroller 126 is mounted upon a stud or pin 127 extending laterallyoutwardly from the side of the cutoff means control cam or drive disc25. Such a cam roller 126 is provided adjacent each of the cam portions112, 113 and 114 of the cam or disc 25, although only one such roller isseen in FIGS. 6 through 8. The cam roller mounted upon the control camor drive disc 25 is positioned adjacent its associated cam portions 112,113 or 114 to abut the separator means roller 124 after the initialcutoff movement of the cam blade 101 but prior to the release of thecutoff blade 101 from the dough ribbon 41 and bottom roller 86 as seenin FIG. 8. When the cam roller, as roller 126 abuts the separator roller124, as seen in FIG. 8, the separator blade is rotated about its pivotaxis, shaft 122, to separate a cutoff strip 43 from the cutoff blade 101and ribbon 41, and propel it downwardly toward the receiving and carriermeans, indicated generally at 130.

In order to transfer a cutoff strip 43 of dough from the cutoff zone,indicated generally at 100 to the toroid forming means in the secondforming zone, indicated generally at 150, dough strip receiving andcarrier means are provided. Such receiving and carrier means, in theexemplary embodiment, are indicated generally at 130. the exemplaryreceiving and carrier means includes a the exemplary receiving andcarried means includes a carrier assembly comprising a carrier head 131,having a plurality of projecting fingers 132, mounted upon a pair ofarms 133 and 134 extending outwardly from a shaft 135. Shaft 135, asbest seen in FIG. 2, is journaled in a pair of flanges 136 and 137extending inwardly of the apparatus from the frame left end cross bar15. A pair of collars r retainers 138 and 139 may be provided upon shaft135 to position and retain shaft 135 relative to the flanges 136 and137.

The dough strip receiving and carrier means includes drive meansinterconnecting the carrier assembly with the receiving and carriermeans control cam or drive disc 27. In the exemplary embodiment, suchdrive means includes the provision of a lever arm 140 mounted at the endof shaft 135 generally adjacent the control cam or drive disc 27. Acounterweight 141 is provided on the lower end of lever arm 140 tocounterweight the weight of the carrier head 131 positioned at the outerends of arms 133 and 134. However, it is preferred that thecounterweight 141 be insuflicient to prevent the dropping of carrierhead 131 down into the second forming zone so that the carrier head israised upwardly under the urging of the associated control cam or drivedisc 27.

A stud 142 is provided at the upper end of the lever arm 140 to beabutted by the control cam or drive disc 27. Cam or disc 27 is providedwith a plurality of cam portions 143, 144 and 145 to successively andintermittently cam the lever arm 140 through stud 142 to successivelycause raised and allow lowering of the carrier head 131 between thecutofi zone indicated generally at 100 and the second forming zone,indicated generally at 150. As seen in FIG. 9, the cam portion 143 ofcam or disc 27 is abutting the stud 142 and holding the carrier 131,through the associated shaft 135 and arms 133 and 134, upwardly adjacentthe strip cutoff zone, indicated generally at 100. Upon continuedoperation of the control drive shaft 21, the carrier means control camor drive disc 27 is rotated clockwise into the position of FIG. in whichthe carrier head 131 is allowed to lower under its own weight into thesecond forming zone indicated generally at 150. A shield 146 may beprovided to prevent the inadvertent dropping of cutoff strips off of thecarrier fingers 132. Shield 146 may be mounted from a mounting cross bar147 attached by conventional means, as welding, to the sub frame topbars 13 and 14.

Toroid forming means are provided in the second forming zone, indicatedgenerally at 150, to receive the cutoff strips of dough 43 from thecarrier means, indicated generally at 130 and for forming such stripsinto toroids to be discharged and carried away at the discharge zone,indicated generally at 220. Referring particularly to FIGS. 1, 12 and13, the exemplary toroid forming means includes the provision of aplurality of movable forming sleeve assemblies 160, a stationary mandrelmeans, indicated generally at 200, and means for moving the formingsleeve assemblies 160 generally concentrically about and past themandrel. As best seen in FIG. 12, the plurality of forming sleeveassemblies 160 are mounted upon a chain 151 driven about sprockets 152and 153. Sprocket 152 acts as the drive sprocket for chain 151, beingmounted upon the intermediate drive shaft 36, shaft 36 being driven bythe motor means, indicated generally at 30, as described previously. Thedriven sprocket 153 is mounted upon shaft 154 which is journaled in apair of opposed journal blocks mounted to the frame cross braces 7 and8, as block 155 is mounted on brace 7 in FIG. 1. Chain 151 includes aplurality of chain links 156 connected in conventional manner to form alink chain as seen in FIG. 12 and is run over a support runner 157mounted from the frame cross braces 7 and 8 by curved support bars, asbars 158 and 159 best seen in FIG. -1.

Each toroid forming sleeve assembly 160, as seen in FIGS. 12 and 13,includes a channel body 161 having a body base 162 and side walls orflanges 163 and 164 integral therewith. Each sleeve assembly body baseis mounted by depending flanges 165 and 166 to links 156 of chain 151. Astationary center forming sleeve cup section 167 is mounted by the sidewalls 163 and 164 of each forming sleeve assembly and a pair of pivotpins 168 and 169 are provided between the side walls at either end ofeach assembly.

The forming sleeve assemblies 160 include sleeve cup sections 170 and171 which are pivotally mounted upon the pins 168 and 169, respectively,to allow opening and closing of the cup sections. The sections areopened to receive a cutoff strip 43, as seen in FIG. 13 and are adaptedto be closed during subsequent forming of the strip into a toroid asseen in FIGS. 14 through 16. Sleeve cup sections 170 and 171 are eachmounted to their respective pivot pins 168 and 169 by a pair of arms.Arms 172 and 174 mount cup 170 (compare the views in FIG. 16 and theside view of FIG. 12) while arms 173 and 175 pivotally mount each cupsection 171 to its pivot pin 169.

Means are provided for selectively opening and closing the toroidforming means sleeve assemblies 160 in order to receive a cutoff strip43, as seen in FIG. 13, and to form the strip therein during movement ofthe assembly past the mandrel, indicated generally at 200. The means forclosing the sleeve sections 170 and 171 from the position of FIG. 13 tothat of FIG. 16, top view, in the exemplary embodiment include theprovision of guide projections 176 and 177 on the free end of each ofthe cup sections 170 and 171. Initially widely spaced and progressivelyconvergent guide rails 178 and 179 are mounted on the apparatus frame,as from the transverse braces 16 and 17. As each forming assembly 116 isrotated on chain 151 through the position shown in FIG. 13, the guideprojections 176 and 177 on the respective assembly sections contact theguide rails 178 and 179 to cause a closing thereof, as seen in FIG. 14.The guide rails 178 and 179 become progressively closer spaced as theassemblies pass from left to right in FIG. 12 to cause the completeclosing of the forming sleeve sections after passage past the supportarm 204 mounting the mandrel as seen in FIG. 15. The means for openingeach forming sleeve will be described subsequently in association withthe means for effecting the discharge of a toroid from the assembly asseen in FIG. 16.

Strip seating means are preferably provided for seating the central ormid-portion of a cutoff strip 43 down into the forming assembly centralcup section 167. As seen in FIG. 13, the carrier fingers deposit acutoff strip 43 upon the forming assembly positioned by chain 51therebelow. The plurality of fingers 131 of the exemplary carrier head,as seen in FIG. 13, may :move downwardly below the highest level of edgeportions of the central cup section 167 to lay strip 143 thereon. Theforming sleeve assemblies 160 are continuously moving and thereforeimmediately carry strip 43 away from the carrier head and fingers. It ispreferred that a mid-portion of the strip be seated or moved downwardlyagainst the central sleeve or cup section 167 and held there while thepivoted side sections 170 and 171 are partially closed about the cutoffstrip of dough. This is preferred in order to preform the received doughstrip into a generally semicircular configuration, as dough element 44in FIGS. 14 and 17. In the exemplary embodiment, such strip seatingmeans includes the provision of a pivotally mounted seating head orhold-down member 181 adapted to come down upon and seat a mid-portion ofa received strip down against the cup section 167. Head or member 181 ismounted generally at right angles and offset from a lever arm 182, asbest seen in FIG. 14. Arm 182 is fixed upon a shaft 183 which, as bestseen in FIG. 2, is journaled in journal blocks 184 and 185 mounted uponframe members 13 and 14. A weight 186 is provided to bias the arm 182and head 181 into a head raised 1 1 position as seen in FIG. 9. Weight186 is connected to shaft 183 by the bent arm 187.

Seating head 181 is operated by the seating means control cam or drivedisc 26 through interconnecting linkages or drive means. As seen inFIGS. 1, 2 and 9 through 11, a lever arm 188 is fixed to and dependsfrom shaft 183. The interconnecting linkage, indicated generally at 190,includes a link 191 pivoted by pins 192 and 193 to a pivoted arm 194 andthe lever arm 188, respectively. Pivoted arm 194 is pivotally mounted bya pivot pin or stub shaft 195 extending laterally outwardly from asupport block 196 mounted to the frame plate 65 as best seen in FIGS. 11and 2. A roller 197 is mounted upon arm 194 at a mid-portion thereof tobe abutted by the strip seating means control cam or drive disc 26, asbest seen in FIG. 11. Control cam or drive disc 26 is provided with aplurality of cam portions, such as portion 198 which is one of threesimilar portions in the exemplary embodiment. Cam or disc 26 and itsassociated portions are mounted upon the control drive shaft 21 inrelation with the other control cams or drive discs to actuate the stripseating means seating head 181 downwardly against a cutoff strip 43after it has been placed in an open forming sleeve assembly and moved toa position directly below the head 181. The forming sleeve sections areprogressively closing around the strip received therein at the time theseating head or hammer 181 tamps, seats or strikes the stripmid-portion, as seen in FIG. 14. At this stage in the forming operation,the cutoff dough strip is formed into a generally semi-circularconfiguration ready to be passed between the forming assemblies andcentral concentric mandrel as will now be hereinafter described.

Mandrel means, indicated generally at 200, are provided in the toroidforming means for cooperation with the relatively moving forming sleeveassemblies to form the semi-circular strips 44 of dough into uniformtoroids. In the exemplary embodiment, such mandrel means includes theprovision of a mandrel having a tapered nose portion 201, a generallyuniform cylindrical body section 202 and a tapered rear end portion 203.The mandrel is supported from its forward nose portion by support arm204, as best seen in FIG. 15 Arm 204 may be formed integrally with aflange 205 mounted, as by welding, to a support plate 206 supported fromthe apparatus frame, as the transverse braces 16 and 17. As each formingassembly with its received dough strip 44 passes the mandrel, the freeends of the dough strip are urged into overlapping relationship. Acurved barrier 207 is provided on the stationary mandrel to impede thepath of travel and delay movement of one of the strip free ends, as end48 seen in FIG. 17. By such delaying of one of the strip ends, it tendsto overlap the preceding end during continued relative motion betweenthe assemblies and mandrel and the ends are eventually formed into anintegral mass and the strip into a toroid, as toroid 46 in FIG. 17. Aslight seam or indication of a seam 49 may be present in the toroid dueto such overlapping of the strip ends.

Toroid discharge means are provided for discharging the formed toroidsfrom each of the toroid forming assemblies as the assemblies approachthe discharge zone indicated generally at 220 in FIG. 1. Such means inthe exemplary embodiment includes the provision of guide rods 210 and211, as seen in FIG. 16, on the apparatus frame. Laterally projectinglever arms 212, 213, 214 and 215 may be provided on each assembly sidesection arms 172, 173, 174 and 175, respectively, to abut such guiderods and cause opening of the sleeve sections. The guide rods may becontinued about the lower lay of chain 151 to maintain the assemblies inopen relationship preparatory to being positioned beneath the stripreceiving and carrier means, indicated generally at 130, deliveringsuccessively cutoff strips of dough 43 into the assemblies.

The discharge means in the exemplary embodiment further includes theprovision of a discharge conveyor 221 rolling about a conventionalsheave mounted upon a conveyor shaft 222. Shaft 222 is mounted betweentwo journal blocks mounted to the apparatus frame, as journal block 223is mounted to frame post 3. The discharge conveyor is powered by a beltdrive off of the exemplary motor means indicated generally at 30. Apulley or sheave 224 is fixed to the conveyor shaft 222 and is driven bya belt 225 run about the drive sheave 226 fixed to motor drive shaft 32.The operation of the exemplary motor means, therefore not only drivesthe toroid forming means continuously, but drives the discharge conveyormeans in continuous manner to remove completed toroids of doughdischarged from the forming sleeve assemblies.

From the foregoing detailed explanation of an exemplary embodiment ofthe apparatus for converting a batch of dough into a plurality ofindividual toroids, according to the present invention, it can be seenthat the various foregoing objects have been achieved. The apparatus ofthe present invention is adapted to receive a batch of pliant deformableplastic composition or material such as a relatively heavy tough andelastic bagel dough. The dough is received in a generally non-formedelongate mass and is passed into a first forming zone wherein it isgiven a more uniform ribbon-like configuration. In the first formingzone the mass is provided with a generally uniform thickness and widthand then directed into a strip cutoff zone. The batch of dough or ribbonis moved intermittently into the cutoff zone and successive transversestrips of dough are cut off from the ribbon and delivered into a secondforming zone.

The cutting-off of successive transverse strips of dough from the ribbonof dough formed in the apparatus is done in rapid successionsynchronized to the receiving and forming of strips by toroid formingmeans in the forming zone. Further, according to the present invention,the cutoff strips of dough are received by the carrier means in thecutoff zone and are carried to the forming assemblies in the formingzone in synchronized movement with relation to the other intermittentlyand continuously moving mechanisms and means in the apparatus. In thepreferred embodiment, cutoff strip separator means are provided forfacilitating the separation of a cut-off strip of dough from the cut-offblade and ribbon of dough, the cut-off strips being propelled downwardlyin addition to the force of gravity toward the receiving and carriermeans by said separator.

The individual dough strips successively received in the continuouslymoving forming assemblies are received in an opened forming assembly andseated therein during the closing of the sleeve sections about thestrip. The received dough strip is thus preformed in the second formingzone into a semi-circular configuration or dough element preparatory tobeing formed between the forming assemblies and mandrel in to a toroid.A minimum of working and rolling of the dough is thereby afforded.

The formed toroids are continuously discharged into a discharge zonewhere, in the exemplary embodiment, a continuously moving dischargeconveyor is provided for carrying the formed toroids away from theapparatus. It is, therefore, possible to continuously and successivelyform a plurality of toroids from a batch of material, such as bageldough, wherein all operations of the apparatus are automaticallycontrolled by a plurality of pre-arranged control cams or drive discs.The control cams or drive discs are all operated in unison and thussynchronize the operation of the various dough feeding means, cutoffmeans, separator means, carrier means, and seating means with thecontinuous operation of the toroid forming means and discharge means.

Having thus described an exemplary embodiment of the automatic feedingcutoff and bagel forming apparatus or machine, according to the presentinvention, it should be understoood by those skilled in the art thatvarious modifications and alternative embodiments thereof can be made ofthe present apparatus which come within the scope of the presentinvention which is defined by and limited only by the following claims.

13 I claim: '1. An apparatus for converting a batch of dough into aplurality of individual toroids rapidly and continuously, said apparatuscomprising:

dough batch feed means for receiving an elongate batch of dough and fordelivering it into a first forming zone;

dough batch roller means in said first forming zone for rolling saidbatch of dough into a generally uniform ribbon of dough;

dough guide means for guiding said ribbon of dough into a cutoff zone;

cutoff means in said cutoff zone for cutting transverse strips of doughoff of said ribbon of dough;

toroid forming means in a second forming zone below said cutoff zone forreceiving and successively forming strips of dough into toroids; and

carrier means for carrying each cutoff strip of dough from said cutoffzone to said second forming zone, said carrier means including a 'headportionto receive each cutoff strip and means for moving said headportion between said cutoff and second forming zones.

2. An apparatus for converting a batch of dough into a plurality ofindividual toroids rapidly and continuously, said apparatus comprising:

dough batch feed means for receiving an elongate batch of dough and fordelivering it into a first forming zone;

dough batch roller means in said first forming zone for rolling saidbatch of dough into a generally uniform ribbon of dough;

dough guide means for guiding said ribbon of dough into a cutoff zone;

cutoff means in said cutoff zone for cutting transverse strips of doughoff of said ribbon of dough;

toroid forming means in a second forming zone below said cutoff zone forreceiving and successively forming strips of dough into toroids;

carrier means for carrying each cutoff strip of dough from said cutoffzone to said toroid forming means; and

strip separator means for separating each cutoff strip from said cutoffmeans and urging it toward said second forming zone.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said toroid forming means comprises:

a mandrel;

a plurality of forming sleeve assemblies and means for providingrelative toroid forming movement between said assemblies and mandrel,each sleeve assembly including sleeve sections and section mountingmeans for allowing opening and closing of the sleeve sections; and

sleeve section guide means for guiding said sections of said assembliesinto an opened position to receive a dough strip from said carrier meansand for guiding said opened sections into a closed position about areceived strip preparatory to said relative toroid forming movementbetween said asemblies and mandrel.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 including:

strip seating means operable in said second forming zone to seat amid-portion of each strip received in an opened sleeve assembly intoabutting relation with said assembly and for holding said stripmid-portion in abutting relation with said assembly while said assemblysections are closed by said section guide means about said strip, saidstrip being preformed thereby into a semi-circular shape prior to saidforming between said assembly and mandrel.

'5. The apparatus of claim 1 including the provision of:

control drive means for driving said dough batch feed means, rollermeans, cutoff means, and strip receiving and carrier means insynchronous relation.

6. An apparatus for converting a batch of dough into a plurality ofindividual toroids rapidly and continuously, said apparatus comprising:

dough batch feed means for receiving an elongate batch of dough and fordelivering it into a first forming zone;

dough batch roller means in said first forming zone for rolling saidbatch of dough into a generally uniform ribbon of dough;

dough guide means for guiding said ribbon of dough into a cutoff zone;

cutoff means in said cutoff zone for cutting transverse strips of doughoff of said ribbon of dough;

toroid forming means in a second forming zone below said cutoff zone forreceiving and successively forming strips of dough into toroids; carriermeans for carrying each cutoff strip of dough from said cutoff zone tosaid toroid forming means;

control drive means for driving said dough batch feed means, rollermeans, cutoff means, and strip receiving and carrier means insynchronous relation, said control drive means including a plurality ofcontrol drive cams mounted on a common drive shaft; and

motor means for continuously driving said toroid forming means andcontrol drive shaft in synchronous relation.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein:

said plurality of control drive cams dri-ve said feed,

roller, cutoff, and carrier means in intermittent motion.

8. An apparatus for converting a batch of dough into a plurality ofindividual toroids comprising:

dough batch feed means for delivering dough in batch form to a firstforming zone;

dough batch roller means in said first forming zone for rolling saidbatch of dough into a generally uniform continuous ribbon of dough;

guide means for guiding said ribbon of dough into a strip cutoff zone;

cutoff means in said cutoff zone for cutting off successive strips ofdough from said ribbon;

strip separator means for separating each cutoff strip from said ribbonand cutoff means to drop said cutoff strip toward a second forming zone;strip receiving and carrier means operable between said cutoff zone andsaid second forming zone for receiving a cutoff strip of dough droppedby said separator from said cutoff zone and for carrying such strip intoa said second forming zone; and

toroid forming means in said second forming zone for receivingsuccessive dough strips from said carrier means and for forming saidstrips into toroids.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 including:

control drive means including a plurality of drive discs;

motor means for driving said discs in unison and for driving said toroidforming means; and

means for operating each of said feed, roller, cutoff,

separator and carrier means in pre-determined cooperative relation bysaid uniformly driven drive discs.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 including:

strip seating means for seating a cutoff strip in a forming assemblyprovided in said toroid forming means; and

linkage means for operating said seating means by one of said pluralityof drive discs in a pre-determined manner relative to the operation ofsaid carrier and toroid forming means.

11. In an apparatus for converting a batch of dough into a plurality ofindividual toroids rapidly and continuously wherein said apparatusincludes means for delivering a ribbon of dough into a cutoff zone inwhich cutoff means are provided for cutting transverse strips off ofsaid ribbon of dough and toroid forming means are provided in a secondforming zone for receiving and successively forming strips of dough intotoroids, the improvement comprising:

carrier means for carrying each cutoff strip of dough from said cutoffzone to said toroid forming means in said second forming zone, saidcarrier means including a head portion to receive each cutoff strip andmeans for moving said head portion between said cutoff and secondforming zones.

12. -In an apparatus for converting a ribbon of dough into a pluralityof individual strips for subsequent forming into toroids wherein saidapparatus includes dough feed means for feeding a generally uniformribbon of dough into a cutoff zone and cutoff means in said cutoff zonefor cutting transverse strips of dough off of said ribbon of dough, theimprovement comprising:

strip separator means including a separator member operativelyassociated with said cutoff means in said zone for separating eachcutoff strip of dough from said cutoff means and urging it away fromsaid cutofi means and ribbon of dough.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS WALTER A. SCHEEL, PrimaryExaminer.

JOSEPH SHEA, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R.

